In terms of testing costs, in line with the agreed shared funding model of our TB programme, farmers pay for their annual round test which is an important component of our combined efforts to control and eradicate TB. If a TB reactor is found at the round test, my Department will cover this testing cost and all testing costs while the herd is in breakdown until the clearance test which is then paid for by the farmer. However, if the farmer has paid for a herd test within 12 months of the clearance test, my Department will pay for the clearance test in that instance.
The TB compensation scheme covers all farmers affected by outbreaks of TB. This includes the On-farm Market Valuation (OFMV) Scheme, Income Supplement, Depopulation Grant and the Hardship Grant
The principal compensation mechanism is the OFMV Scheme. This is an indemnity payment per reactor animal removed. This is paid at a rate that the farmer would ordinarily expect to achieve on the open market if the animal was not diseased.
In addition, my Department operates a number of supplementary compensation schemes:
Income Supplement is a payment per month per animal, subject to certain qualifying criteria, recognising consequential income lost due to their being removed as a reactor.
The Hardship Grant is a monthly payment, again subject to certain qualifying criteria, between the months of November and April to assist with feeding costs for farmers locked up with animals they can’t sell over the winter period.
The Depopulation Grant is a payment to those farmers whose herds are are depopulated for disease control reasons and remain restricted for a period of time.
These supplementary schemes are unique to Ireland. In other jurisdictions with TB programmes including Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, compensation is only paid in respect of reactors removed. Expenditure on compensation under the TB Programme is expected to be €21 million this year representing an increase of over €2.5 million (14%) relative to 2019.
